Amoxicillin Equals Amoxicillin-Clavulanate for Acute Sinusitis

Acute rhinosinusitis is one of the most common diagnoses driving outpatient antibiotic prescriptions, yet the optimal first-line therapy remains a subject of ongoing debate. Historically, clinical practice guidelines have shifted recommendations between standard amoxicillin and broader-spectrum amoxicillin-clavulanate, leading to highly variable prescribing patterns in primary care [1, 2]. While broader coverage theoretically targets resistant pathogens, it also carries well-documented risks of gastrointestinal distress and opportunistic fungal infections [3]. Balancing the need for effective symptom resolution against the imperative of antibiotic stewardship requires high-quality comparative data [4, 5]. A large retrospective cohort study now clarifies whether the addition of clavulanate actually improves clinical outcomes for uncomplicated cases in adults, providing actionable data for daily prescribing decisions.